Last Thursday, three pupils travelled to Tonbridge School to take part in the finals of the Science Snippets Competition. This competition is designed to give pupils the chance to communicate a chosen area of scientific interest, aimed at a Year 9 audience.
To reach the finals, our three pupils first had to progress through the heats by recording a one-minute video in which they spoke about their chosen topic. To prepare for the finals, our pupils planned a four-minute presentation which they subsequently delivered in front of a live audience. They were judged on content, clarity, creativity, and engagement.
All three pupils performed brilliantly, with Alexandra achieving third place in the under 16 age category.
I researched the element caesium; I had heard about atomic clocks briefly and had decided to research them simply because it interested me at the time. To prepare for the talk, I had practiced presenting to one of my teachers, as well as to my friends. My favourite part of the experience was meeting like-minded peers and getting to know people who may be in the same fields as me in the future.
Mateo (Year 12)
I delivered a speech on how nuclear fusion could shape the future of energy. I chose this topic because I'm genuinely fascinated by its potential to have a great societal and scientific impact. Preparing for the competition, I was given the opportunity to practice in front of physics teachers and my classmates which proved invaluable in building my confidence. Although it was certainly a nerve-wracking experience, it pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow as a speaker. It also gave me the opportunity to express something which I am passionate about with others who share that interest. Overall, I am overjoyed to have taken part in this competition, because it was a truly unique experience that I will never forget.
Rachel (Year 11)
For my presentation, I chose to explore animal species that, in their own way, demonstrate intelligence or abilities greater than our own. I’ve always been fascinated by medicine and technology, so I wanted to investigate how the unique traits of different animals could inspire scientific and medical advances. I focused on tardigrades and axolotls, drawing on research papers and news articles to understand how tardigrades survive extreme environments and how axolotls regenerate limbs. Although I felt nervous, I really enjoyed presenting at Tonbridge—the atmosphere was energising, and I learned so much from the other finalists who spoke before and after me.
Alexandra (Year 11)
